Kota Kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Star), a GRS component, says Pejuang should just focus their political struggle in Malaya and leave Sabah in the hands of local parties.
Its Vice President Datuk Kenny Chua said Sabah wants to be governed by local parties, just like Sarawak.
“Sabahans have made it clear that we want to be like our Borneo neighbours, Sarawak, which is ruled by local parties.
“Some people may argue that there’s no difference between having local or Malaya parties to govern our region.
All I can say is look at Sarawak today and see how strong and progressive they have become.
“On the contrary, Sabah used to be called a fixed deposit state to a ruling federal government coalition.
This sad era effectively ended in 2018.
Obviously Sabahans have learned our lesson.
We want to reclaim our power and we will achieve this by managing our own affairs without any external interference, especially from any political collaborations.
“Like what our Chief Minister has said ‘Sabah is our home, and we take care of it ourselves’,” he said in a statement Monday.
Chua was commenting on reports that Pejuang was willing to work with political parties in Sabah, including Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) component parties.
Its President Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the party’s brand of politics was not purely to secure candidates in certain constituencies but to contribute towards developing the people.
Chua said while it is noble that Pejuang has such intention, the party that was formed in August 2020 by Mukhriz’s father and former prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohammad, should just focus on developing the lives of people in Malaya.
“Of course, I appreciate Pejuang’s intention. But just focus on what you’re aiming to accomplish in Malaya.
Besides, there are more states there for you to worry about. Sabah is in the good hands of the local parties,” he said.
Chua also said that Mukhriz was correct in acknowledging that Sabah’s political landscape differed from the peninsula.
“Sabahans and Sarawakians are very aware of this difference.
That’s the reason why we want only local parties in Sabah.
Our political history has taught us a valuable lesson on how not to trust outsiders who only want to use us for their own benefit.
“Ours has been a long history of being shortchanged.
Otherwise, Sabah would not have been the poorest in the country, a status that has given us no choice but to bow and beg for everything.
We’ve been powerless. But we aim to change this once and for all.”
“So, to Pejuang, I appreciate the offer. But no thanks.
Just stay home in Malaya.
The people there probably need you more. We’re good in Sabah,” said Chua.
